Party Pitas Recipes

PARTY PITAS

Steps:

• Mix first four ingredients. Carefully cut each pita horizontally in half; spread 2 tablespoons mixture onto each cut surface., On four pita halves, layer spinach, ham and cheese. Top with remaining pita halves. Cut each sandwich into four wedges; secure with toothpicks.

PARTY PITAS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, mayonnaise, dill and garlic salt until blended.
• Cut each pita in half horizontally; spread with cream cheese mixture. On eight pita halves, layer the spinach, ham and cheese. Top with remaining pita halves. Cut each pita into four wedges; secure with toothpicks.

LEBANESE MEAT-STUFFED PITAS (ARAYES)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a food processor, combine the onions, garlic, and parsley until finely minced. Remove to a large bowl and add in the beef, tomato, garam masala, pine nuts, and lemon juice. Season with salt. Mix with your hands until well combined.
• Arrange the pita quarters on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Fill each quarter with about 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture, flattening it out so the filling is even. Brush each quarter on both sides with a little olive oil. Sprinkle salt on top.
• Bake for 20 minutes, turning once halfway through. Pitas should be browned and crispy.

MEDITERRANEAN PARTY DIP WITH PITA CHIPS

Steps:

• Mix yogurt, cream cheese and first 4 dried spices until well blended. Spread dip in shallow glass casserole dish or pie plate. Cover and let sit in refrigerator for a few hours if you can.
• Carefully open the pita breads and cut into triangles, and place on two baking sheets spraying both sides with olive oil spray (or brush a small amt on each one) and lightly sprinkle with garlic salt. If the pita bread will not separate, then just cut them into the wedges and brush a small amount of olive oil onto each side instead of using the olive oil spray. Bake at 350 until just starting to brown on edges, about 10 minutes or so.
• Peel and seed the cucumber (seed it by cutting lengthwise and running a spoon along the center). Chop finely and layer on top of dip. Follow with diced tomatoes, black olives, pepperoncinis and feta cheese. Top with chopped parsley if desired.

HOMEMADE PITA BREAD

Steps:

• Sprinkle yeast over 1 cup warm water, then add sugar. Let sit until bubbles form in the water, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Mix 2 cups flour, 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, milk powder, and salt together in a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment until combined. Add yeast mixture and knead on low speed; it may look unmanageable at first but in a few minutes it will leave the sides of the bowl and form a ball. Continue to knead gently until ball is soft and smooth. If dough is too dry and hard, add 1 to 2 tablespoons warm water. If dough is too wet, add a little flour.
• Cover the dough with plastic wrap and leave in a warm place until it has doubled in size, 2 to 3 hours.
• Transfer dough to a floured work surface. Roll into a cylinder shape or flatten it with your hands and divide into 10 equal pieces. Form each piece into a ball, cover with greased plastic wrap, and let rise for 8 to 10 minutes.
• Sprinkle a small amount of flour onto the work surface. Take one dough ball and gently flatten it with your fingers or a rolling pin into a 6- to 8-inch circle, about 1/4 inch thick. Repeat with remaining balls. Cover and let rise one more time, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Lightly grease with remaining olive oil and place pitas into the skillet. Cook until bubbles form and pitas puff up, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook, without turning, until completely puffed up, another 2 to 3 minutes.